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Stephen IV/V, Pope of Rome
VIII/IX Centuries
A member of a noble family, Stephen was raised in the Lateran and
was ordained by Leo III. Elected to the papacy in 816, Stephen
swore loyalty to Louis I the Pious, whom he crowned and anointed
Holy Roman Emperor at Rheims. This incident was the first imperial
anointing and indicated that the pope's seal of approval was necessary
to the emperor. While at Rheims, Stephen arranged for the return to
Rome of those who had opposed Leo III, whom Charlemagne had exiled
to Gaul. Stephen died in 817, six months after his election.
Karen Rae Keck
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